SM&W Rovers have gone back-to-back to produce their second win in a row and fourth of the season in round 10 of the Mininera and District Football League.
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The Bulldogs have struggled to nail down consistent form for much of the season but victory against Great Western comes as a big breakthrough.
Coach Joe Carmody said the win is a sign that his players are beginning to work more efficiently and effectively alongside one another.
"With the addition of four or five new players at the start of the season and a new game plan, new systems, it was always going to take some time to gel," he said.
"Admittedly that has taken a bit longer than we would have liked."
Carmody said the Rovers' number of inside 50s was up and the quality of football played an improvement on earlier in the season.
"We are still having lapses, even at the weekend, this can cost us two or three goals in the space of a few minutes," Carmody said.
"But our run was good, we had more numbers around the ball and contested the football.
"We lost a few close ones early, but if we can continue to play this way that will make a difference to our ladder position."
Carmody praised the efforts of his defenders including Alex McCarthy and full-back Brad Scott.
Thomas Maddern, Carmody, Andrew Toan and Thomas Thewlis were also named in the best for the Bulldogs.
The team's immediate future is looking bright with Nic Byrne expected to return to the field this week.
The only concern rests with Carmody himself who suffered a hamstring strain late in the game.
Great Western went into the match missing several key players including captain Brett Dowie.
The signs for the Lions were positive early, kicking against the breeze they were able to match it with the Rovers around the ground with ruckman Rayne Salmon and onballers BJ Burton, Tom Cairns and coach Nick Thomas winning plenty of the football.
Shannon Notting played a crucial role in defence getting himself on the end of several forward entries.
Towards the later stages of the first quarter the Rovers began to break clear to lead by more than three goals at the first break.
The second quarter saw the Lions begin to bring the game back within reach with Issac Debono and Cody Virgona involved in plenty of play across the half forward line.
Young wingman Tom McCord also played a part while Cairns continued to win the ball from stoppages getting first use from the in form Salmon, however, wasted opportunities were the story of the second quarter.
Scoring in the second half slowed with the heavy ground and slippery conditions playing a part.
The Rovers were able to adjust and wrestle back control of the game holding the Lions scoreless in the third term while kicking three goals themselves.
Rovers extended the margin to six goals in the final term to finish victors 13.13 (91) to Great Western 7.10 (52).
Lions' coach Nick Thomas was again disappointed by the final result, but was quick to applaud the effort of his players and concentrated on the positives post match.
He was impressed by the willingness to put their heads over the ball and win a majority of the stoppages.
Acknowledging several players including ruckman Salmon, half back Sam Cocks and defender Adam Bullock.
Several players are again under injury clouds for next week's game against Tatyoon with star midfielder Lachie Malloy suffering a groin injury in the second quarter as well as Ben Iseppi (ribs) and Tom Cairns (groin) who are unlikely to take to the field this weekend.
The Hawks will go into the match undisputed favourites after Kye Chapple lead his team to an 84-point thrashing of a hapless Glenthompson Dunkeld.
Chapple dominated up forward for the Hawks kicking nine of the team's 15 goals in a best on ground performance.
The Rams were held to just three goals for the day and lost 3.3 (21) to 15.15 (105).
Other notable performance Lachie Laidlaw, Bradd Wilson, Brodie Mines, Peter Butler and Jack Fraser.
Wickliffe Lake Bolac made it five-from-five with its 25 point defeat of Caramut.
Magpies coach Nic Willox said his team put in an 'okay' performance in the wet conditions.
"The wet made it scruffier than what we would have liked and therefore the skill level was down," he said.
Caramut brought with it a solid midfield but were let down on occasion up forward and failed to capitalise.
Willox said his backline was strong all afternoon with the Swans restricted to two goals until a break for them came midway through the third term.
"I think we were able to find goals and take some opportunities that they couldn't," Willox said.
Willox highlighted the efforts of tank onballer Bailey Veale and said the conditions suited Danniel Smith who at ground level kicked four of the team's 10 majors for the day.
"Lachie Kelly tagged Nathan Jones all day, he was still able to get a bit of the ball, but Kelly did well to limit his impact," he said.
Jason Quinlivian was awarded best for Bolac with William Warner, Thomas Stephens, Veale, Smith and Edward Guthrie also recognised for their efforts.
Willox said his team is still in with a good chance to make an impression come finals given the log jam between second and seventh placing on the ladder.
"It is important to have that momentum and confidence building leading in to the back-half of the season," he said.
"We have a rising percentage and have just accounted for another top five team."
Ararat was dealt a football lesson as Hawkesdale Macarthur showed little mercy in its 123 point demolition of the low placed team.
The Southern Eagles put the result beyond a doubt early producing a 12 goal second quarter.
Eagles' Lewis Baker snared two of his team's five goals while Luke Foster put in a best on ground performance.
Ashley Leggett, Nicholas Bulger, Shaun North, Mark Coole and Nathan Wemyss were also named in Ararat's best.
The win takes the Southern Eagles to outright second position on the competition ladder, one win behind Moyston Willaura.
It was just another day at the office for the Pumas as they powered to a 105 point defeat of Woorndoo Mortlake.
Moyston Willaura's players were on the front foot from the outset, kicking eight goals to the Tigers one in the first term.
Goals were free flowing in the remaining three quarters with Aiden Bell netting nine of the team's eventual 24 goal tally.
Lachie Hamilton, Matt Peel, Daniel Guinane and Luke Walker were also multiple goal scorers for the Pumas which prevailed 24.16 (160) to 8.7 (55).
Bell was awarded best on ground for his work in the forward, Lynden Brewis, Hamilton brothers Jacob and Ryley, Josh Bywater and Matthew Scully were also named among the best.
In the remaining match of the round Penshurst claimed bragging rights against Lismore Derrinallum with the result going down to the wire.
Despite building a first quarter buffer and kicking away to a five goal lead at half time, the Demons couldn't prevent a second half fight back from the Bombers who booted eight goals to their one.
Lismore Derrinallum left shell shocked and weary after a scoreless final term, going down 11.10 (76) to 13.7 (85).